Cleaning Tips for Today’s Kitchen

May 01, 2017

Kitchens sure have evolved from a generation ago.

We’re a foodie culture, and our kitchens have the open shelving, profusion of pots and pans, and high-end coffee makers to prove it. Here are a few practical cleaning tips for today’s marvelous, modern kitchens.

Have your dishwasher do double duty.

That priceless appliance you run once (or twice!) a day isn’t just for dishes. You can quickly clean and disinfect all kinds of kitchen odds and ends by putting them in the next washing cycle:

Refrigerator drawers (first bring to room temperature and wash on the top shelf to avoid cracking)

Drain catches and dish racks

Kitchen sponges

Some stovetop burner grates (refer to your appliance manual)

Non-kitchen items such as toothbrushes, combs and washable plastic toys

Keep open shelving dust-free.

Who doesn’t love the look of open shelving—not to mention the practicality of all that easy access to dishes and cookware? But this trendy look does have its downside: dust.

Unlike closed cabinetry that keeps dust at bay, open shelving practically invites dust to settle in and get comfortable. Be sure to make a thorough dusting of your open shelving a daily habit—and use a fresh microfiber cloth or disposable duster every time, since you want your dishes to be squeaky clean and free of germs and bacteria.

Make your pots and pans pristine.

The best way to remove caked-on, baked-in grease and residue, and even stubborn burn marks, is to use some elbow grease and a powerful cleaning duo: vinegar and baking soda.

Fill your pots with enough water to cover the bottom, then add a cup of vinegar and bring to a boil for a minute or two. Next, take the pots off the heat and sprinkle a couple tablespoons of baking soda. After a few minutes, empty the water, allow the pots to cool enough to be handled safely, and scrub the bottom with the rough side of a sponge. You may need to sprinkle in a bit more baking soda for super-tough grime, but ultimately you’ll end up with gleaming pots worthy of any epicurean kitchen.

Clean your coffee machine.

Whether it’s an espresso machine requiring pods or a carafe coffeemaker requiring freshly ground beans, the appliance you use to craft your morning cup of java is likely one of your most beloved kitchen appliances. Here’s how to take good care of it (be sure to read manufacturer’s guidelines for specific dos and don’ts regarding your machine):

Hand wash any filters, carafes or removable parts in warm soapy water. Rinse and air dry.

Descale water deposits. Typically, “brewing” a mix of equal parts water and vinegar and following that with two plain-water cycles does the trick, but you definitely want to research manufacturer’s guidelines—otherwise you could void any product warranty.

Use a cloth dampened with sudsy water to gently wipe down the exterior of your machine, and then wipe it dry with a cloth or paper towel.

Voila! Your favorite gathering space is clean, beautiful and ready to get cooking.